:: Sunday, May 16, 2004 ::

How Not to Handle the Press: Lesson One

This morning on Meet the Press, Tim Russert concluded his interview with Colin Powell by asking Powell if was disappointed to find that the evidence he gave to the U.N. last year was faulty. Russert describes an "operative" who gave false evidence to the Bush administration. In the middle of Russert's question, someone tries to pull Powell from the interview. Then all you see is an empty spot where Powell was and you can hear some off-camera discussion. I had stepped out of the room, but it seemed like someone pulled the camera away from Powell.

Russert says something about the interruptiion being inappropriate and then you here Powell say--very bluntly--"Get out of the way, Emily." Then the camera goes back to Powell, Russert asks the question again and Powell responds by saying something along the lines of his being very disappointed with the discoveries. Under tough circumstances, he gave a brief diplomatic answer with aplomb. End of interview.

Back to Russert who tells us the interview took place earlier this morning and was unedited. He thanks Powell for finishing the interview, despite his press secretary's protestations.

Update: Drudge has the transcript.

Update: This afternoon on CNN, Wolf Blitzer asked Russert about the interview. Russert said he'd never been interrupted this way in his entire career at Meet the Press.

:: Unknown 11:03 AM | [+] ::
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